Filtering by Tag: Delivery,Fairfield

Gai-Ja Chicken Rice Opens in Fairfield with Khao Man Gai +

Restaurant Fairfield Openings Asian Thai Street Food Comfort Food

Stephanie Webster

Sometimes when it comes to food, simple is smart. Doing one thing and doing it well defines the menu at Gai-Ja Chicken Rice in Fairfield CT. Owner, Putthabut Rungsri, said he opened Gai-Ja Chicken Rice because he realized that no one in Connecticut was serving the type of Thai street food he grew up with in his birthplace of Thailand. His Thai style chicken rice, or,“ Khao Man Gai “ (ข้าวมันไก่), for which the restaurant is named, is quite simply, the ultimate comfort food. The dish consists of poached, grilled or fried chicken, resting on top of steamed jasmine rice, cooked in chicken broth and seasoned with ginger, garlic, and chicken oil. The dish is served with a ginger soybean sauce and clear chicken broth on the side. It’s a little slice of street food heaven, and priced at $12 Gai-Ja has become a fixture in our weekly dinner rotation.


Uncle Seven Chinese Re-Opens in South Norwalk & Launches Peking Duck Service

Features Restaurant Chinese Openings Peking Duck Homepage Lunch Delivery Asian

Carly Terzigni

Chef Alan Lee, owner of Uncle Seven in SoNo, is no stranger to the Connecticut food scene. He and his family have owned the highly successful Ching’s Table in New Canaan for over thirty years. So what was next for Chef Lee? A new venture, a modern twist on traditional Chinese cuisine in the SoNo Collection Mall. This new spot is called Uncle Seven, and you’ll be happy we told you so.

Uncle Seven was an immediate hit when it first opened its doors in early 2020, with Chef Lee recalling that the restaurant was “very busy for the first few months” before March of 2020 arrived. The restaurant has just reopened post pandemic, and we think it should be on your list of dining spots to check out this holiday season. Why, you ask? In addition to a truly delicious authentic Chinese menu, we’ve got two words for you: PEKING DUCK.


Sally's Apizza Opening in Fairfield October 2022!

Features Pizza New Haven Pizza Openings Fairfield

Stephanie Webster

The iconic New Haven pizza spot, Sally’s Apizza is getting ready to open the doors at their NEW LOCATION IN FAIRFIELD next month!!!! This will be their third location in Connecticut, the 2nd of which opened last year in Stamford.

The restaurant will be located in the Trademark building at 665 Commerce Drive, in the space formerly occupied by Barbacoa Smoke House


The Whale Tea: Go For The Brown Sugar Boba & Asian Baked Good Coming Soon

Restaurant Norwalk Fairfield Stamford Boba Tea Tea Asian Desserts Dessert Kid Friendly

Camille Vynerib

Originating in Nanjing China, The Whale Tea has over 300 stores around the world due to their success and popularity. In only a couple of years, the store expanded to a variety of locations including Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, London, and the United States. May Lin, in an interview, explained that she brought the franchise to the US and has already opened nearly 15 shops. In Connecticut alone, 10 locations are up and running.

Lin explained that her and countless customers' favorite drink is the Brown Sugar Boba. Although the drink originated in the United States, and not in China, its look and flavor are bold enough to turn heads. The boba is cooked with the brown sugar in the shop, so when you receive your drink it’s hot. The boba, Lin explains, is “soft and tasty,” similar to the original boba from Taiwan. Fortunately, the store, if you aren't a brown sugar enthusiast, has countless additional options to choose from. Whale Crystal is the most popular special, but every drink has a unique and creative aesthetic that makes your drink delicious (and perfect for an Instagram post).


Nutcracker Egyptian Bakery & Candy Shop in Fairfield

Restaurant Features Bakery Fairfield Candy Shop Egyptian Middle Eastern Baked Goods Imported

Oliver Clachko

In July of 2021, Khaled H. Khaled opened Nutcracker Egyptian Bakery & Candy Shop in Fairfield with his wife and three children. The Egyptian bakery quickly found an ample following, says Khaled. “All different sorts of people come in. Some people for the candy, some for the baklava, and [many still] for other things.”

The family-run shop’s offerings consist of a variety of Middle-Eastern baked goods, as well as a selection of treats from Egypt’s most beloved brands. Khaled learned how to bake early while working at his family’s confectionery in Cairo. After moving to Fairfield in 2012, he continued to hone his craft while experimenting with possible improvements. Accordingly, Nutcracker offers many different delicacies with an enormous variety of flavors.


Isla & Co. Opens in Fairfield CT with Australian Inspired Fare

Restaurant Openings Fairfield Australian Outdoor Dining Cocktails

Jessica Ryan

I had the opportunity to attend a media dinner at the newly opened Isla, a restaurant featuring Australian fare. I wasn’t sure what Australian cuisine was but I was excited to check out this new eatery located in the heartbeat of downtown Fairfield right next to the community theater.

The restaurant itself is small, but when the weather is good it can take advantage of the wonderful courtyard area outside and more than double its seating capabilities. The restaurant’s design is minimalistic with dark green subway tiles lining the lower half of the crisp white walls dotted with hanging greenery and navy banquettes with café tables offer up seating. The back of the restaurant opens up to show diners the “behind the scenes” where they can watch bartenders crafting up delicious cocktails and, beyond, the chef in the kitchen preparing delectable fare. Let’s move on to that, shall we?


J.B. Percival: Craft Cocktails in Fairfield

Features Interview bar Cocktails Fairfield Pub Cocktail Lounge Mixology classic cocktails Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Punch “J.B. Percival” into Google Maps and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying an expertly mixed drink in Fairfield County’s only straight up cocktail lounge. All that’s left is actually finding the entrance.

Your GPS will tell you “you’ve arrived,” and you’ll likely be close, whether you’re parked at Fairfield Metro or parallel on Unquowa Street. There’s still a bit of legwork left. Head down Donnelly Walk, spot a handful of outdoor seats, and you’ll ultimately see their logo and “Permittee Amy O’Shea” decaled on the glass door.

If you’re just now hearing about J.B. Percival, it might be because O’Shea and her husband, Billy, opened their doors at the start of 2020. Nine weeks after they began mixing drinks and pouring pints, they were shut down for on-premise everything like every bar and restaurant was. Like most, they pivoted to a takeout model selling to-go cocktails, cocktail kits, wine, eggs, honey, masks, hand sanitizer, and even vegetables. As restrictions eased, J.B. Percival started slinging drinks for outdoor patio consumption, and then, finally, it was back to welcoming customers back indoors.


Lovebird Gluten Free Fried Chicken + More Opens in Fairfield

Restaurant Fried Chicken Fried Chicken Sandwich Fairfield Sandwich Lunch To-Go Fast Casual Gluten-Free Special Dietary Needs Homepage

Jessica Ryan

There’s a new fried chicken restaurant in town and it’s not like any other.

Last summer Lovebird opened its first Connecticut eatery at 2385 Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield on the heels of four successful Pennsylvania restaurants (Blue Bell, Bryn Mawr, Doylestown and Newtown.)

Stephanie Wilson Paulson, a long- time friend of founder John Ordway, decided to bring the restaurant to Connecticut and thought Fairfield to be an ideal location.

Lovebird is unique in that it is a celiac-friendly, gluten-free* restaurant that describes itself as a high quality chicken restaurant changing the way fried chicken is done, and redefining the way people are eating fried chicken. Free of GMO's, antibiotics, and unpronounceable ingredients, Lovebird uses only Gerber’s Amish Farm cage-free chicken for their made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and quinoa bowls, with vegetarian and vegan options. Diners shouldn’t overlook their sides, crispy Brussels, fried pickles and mac and cheese, all – of course – gluten-free!


Flavorism: 5 Ghost Kitchens in Stamford Feature Local Chefs Thru Unique Delivery Platform

Features Restaurant Delivery Delivery Service Ghost Kitchen Stamford Pizza Salads Burgers

Jessica Ryan

Long before the term ghost kitchen became part of our vernacular, Jonathan Brennan was busy building his in the heart of Stamford. Today his virtual food hall features six farm to table kitchens under one roof, is bustling and has plans for expansion in the very near future. Each kitchen features a unique menu with a different flavor profile to accommodate a wide range of different tastes and lifestyles with a focus on heath and sustainability. While Flavorism could be touted as a Ghost Kitchen, it’s really so much more. It’s a focus on sustainability, the elimination of excess waste, serving the local communities and hiring local talents.


Dave’s Gourmet Paletas: Artisan Ice Pops Opens in Fairfield

Restaurant Openings Fairfield Ices Ice Pops Dessert Kids Kid Friendly Popsicles homepage

CTbites Team

Craving something sweet but not in the mood for the full indulgence of ice cream? Do you want something that tastes just as good without as much guilt? Have no fear, Dave’s Gourmet Paletas has just opened in downtown Fairfield serving up 20 flavors of homemade paletas…made fresh daily. These pops are far cry fro from the average popsicle as paletas are made entirely from whole ingredients, delicious things…like fresh fruit and nut butters. Dave’s Paletas also feature gluten free, dairy free and vegan options with a menu ranging from classic flavors like strawberry and banana to more unique ones like matcha and mango chamoy. Paletas are a traditional Mexican frozen treat and owner and CEO Dave Rock says,

“We wanted to offer standard flavors, traditional ones that everybody likes, but we also wanted to sprinkle in some of the more uniquely Mexican options like a mango chamoy.”


Sea Salt Baking Company: Outrageously Delicious Cookies...Delivered!

Features Bakery Cottage Bakers Cookies Delivery Dessert

Steven Laitmon

I’m not sure when I first heard about Sea Salt Baking Company but as Connecticut’s cottage baking industry has been exploding recently and my interest in fresh, local, treats has shown no signs of waning, I was eager to learn more. Plus, If the word on the street matched the actual product from this baker (with cookie baking in her DNA), I knew I’d be in for a treat.

Sea Salt Baking Company is the “baby” of Jaeca Sweeney, a Fairfield mom of two who found herself with a little extra time on her hands during the pandemic and knew cookies were calling.


Howling Hot Chicken Brings Nashville Hot Chicken To Bridgeport

Restaurant Openings Bridgeport Hot Chicken Chicken Sandwich Comfort Food Take Out Delivery

James Gribbon

They call it a "slider," but it is not a slider. They call it "Hot Chicken," and it is definitely, exactly, most assuredly, guaranteed and board certified to be both of those things. Good lord. I have never been to Nashville, because I have never been a member of a southern lady's bachelorette party, but I have both been to Bridgeport, and Enjoyed-to-Tolerated many a chicken sandwich. If this is what they're like in central Tennessee, I may take the trip.

Howling Hot Chicken is just past the Bridgeport/Trumbull line down from the mall, and will shortly share a wall with a Milkcraft creamery, whose owners identified a bit of vacuum in the Connecticut landscape which needed filling with Extremely Hot Chicken (or mild, or simply fried with no spice, your call) and created a new franchise. Recognizing a similar void in my lunchtime, I recently swung by.


Grammie's Donuts & Biscuits: Get your Breakfast Sandwiches, Donuts & Cronuts DELIVERED!

Restaurant Openings Ghost Kitchen Breakfast donuts Cronut Egg Sandwich Delivery Home Delivery Brunch Homepage

Stephanie Webster

I often fantasize about waking up to a 6 pack of donuts and a warm bacon egg and cheese sandwich nestled on a freshly made biscuit. Seriously…all the time. I’ve got issues. Well, now there is a ghost kitchen in Westport, CT where such dreams can become a reality…and they did last weekend. Introducing Grammie’s. For those not familiar with the concept of a ghost kitchen, it just means there is no actual restaurant—not in the traditional sense. You can't come and cozy up to a table, but you can order Grammie's donuts, cronuts, flakey biscuits, croissants and breakfast sandwiches (made on ANY of the above freshly baked carbs) for curbside pickup and delivery through their website. Yup. Lay in bed and hit send…Voila!


Cafe Transilvania Opens in Fairfield: Romanian Cuisine with a Side of Dracula History

Restaurant Openings Fairfield Romanian Hungarian Eastern European Take Out To-Go

Stephanie Webster

It’s not easy to find Romanian cuisine in the Nutmeg state. Aline and Christian Caldarariu, owners of the recently opened, Cafe Transilvania, say their new takeout spot is the only Romanian restaurant in Connecticut. The couple, both with backgrounds in hospitality and the culinary world, had intended to open a sit down restaurant pre-Covid, but the world changed, and so did their plans. Their new spot, located at 246 Post Road, in Fairfield CT, has opened to an enthusiastic response from both the large Romanian community in Fairfield County (who knew?), as well as local diners, who are excited to sample a cuisine that has previously eluded food lovers the Connecticut area.


BE Chocolat Shop Opens in Fairfield from Belgian Master Chocolatier Benoit Racquet

Features Restaurant Chocolate Openings Fairfield Dessert Confections Homepage

Stephanie Webster

Allow me to preface this article with a warning. Once you’ve experienced master chocolatier Benoit Racquet’s Belgian chocolates, there really is no turning back. These confections, made with Callebaut Fairtrade’s finest chocolate and a whole lot of food-science based love, are highly craveworthy and bordering on sensual. Benoit and his wife Sylvie, have been in the business of chocolate for over five years, but last week marked a special milestone for this team…the grand opening of their first retail shop, BE Chocolat, located at 75 Hillside Rd in Fairfield CT.


Ideal Fish: Delivering Sustainably Raised Fish Through Unique Recirculating Aquaculture

Features Ingredients Seafood Fish Fish Market Online Store Healthy Eats Delivery Local Farm

Stephanie Webster

Launched in the spring of 2013, Ideal Fish, located in Waterbury CT, is a state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture systems company dedicated to bringing fresh fish to local markets. As the only commercial-scale facility of its kind in the Northeast, their responsibly and sustainably raised fish gets from their waters to your kitchen within 24 hours of harvest.

While Ideal Fish has been raising branzino in its sustainable CT facility, and serving the area’s finest restaurants and grocers for several years. Now, for the first time, the company is adding salmon to its offering and providing a direct-to-consumer option for home cooks across the Northeast through ​www.idealfish.com​. Both salmon and branzino are high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids and other important nutrients.


Haven Hot Chicken Opens October 17 Bringing Nashville Hot Chicken to Downtown New Haven

Restaurant New Haven Fried Chicken Openings Lunch Take Out Delivery Chicken Sandwich Kid Friendly Homepage

Stephanie Webster

“Oh my god, this fried chicken sandwich is so freakin’ delicious I may openly weep,” came out of my mouth as I savored my first bite of Haven Hot Chicken’s Nashville style hot chicken sandwich. “Haven Hot Chicken” opened last week at 21 Whitney Avenue in downtown New Haven after months of sold out pop ups throughout the New Haven area. The lines are long, but the wait is worth it, as people queued up to sample the cult classic Nashville Hot Chicken (and vegetarian Not Chicken) in a variety of heat levels (5 to be exact).


Mr. Frosty's: Outrageously Tasty, Instagram Worthy Ice Cream with Old School Charm

Restaurant ice cream Special Dietary Needs Vegan Kid Friendly Take Out Delivery Dessert Homepage

Stephanie Webster

When Anthony and Rosa Luciano took over Mr. Frosty’s, 15 years ago, this classic ice cream spot had already been scooping the good stuff for happy customers for close to 60 years. Situated in the heart of East Norwalk, a few feet from the Norwalk River, Mr. Frosty’s feels like the type of spot you might wander across in a summer beach resort town. What makes Mr. Frosty’s a destination for Fairfield County ice cream enthusiasts? Anthony and Rosa never sit still. They are constantly researching and pushing to find the next great thing. Their creativity, playfulness, and willingness to experiment has made them a go-to for all things ice cream. Whether you’re looking for a take-out family style “Take & Make Fun Kit,” a Tornado, Shake, Apple Waffle Sundae, or whatever their latest and greatest seasonal flavors might be, the operative words are outrageous delicious fun here.

Truth be told, it was their new Vegan ice cream flavors that brought me to Mr Frosty’s on this visit, and yet somehow I managed to end up elbow deep in waffle sundaes, a pumpkin spice float, and several “Cravers.”